AFCON 2021: Match scheduling time seems to affect game outcome

Since the kick-off of this edition of the competition, the scheduling of the matches at 14:00 (13:00 GMT) has been at the center of debates. Between the overwhelming heat, the humidity rate which strongly influences the organisms and the dry pitches, the game is not at the rendezvous. As well as the results of some teams.

Senegal-Zimbabwe (1-0), Algeria-Sierra Leone (0-0), Mali-Tunisia (1-0), Senegal-Guinea (0-0). Even the 1-1 draw between Gambia and Mali this Sunday, the record is scarce: 2 goals in 4 matches, both scored on penalties. In other words, since the kick-off of the AFCON 2021, the show is not really there for the matches scheduled at 2pm. What was only a fear before the start of the competition, has ended up being confirmed on the field.

Two matches at 2pm for Mali and Senegal
Between the high daily temperatures in some places like Douala, combined with high humidity, the players' bodies are quickly tested. And it is the game of the teams that is affected. These factors are compounded by a truncated preparation between cancelled friendlies, the case of Covid and players who joined the groupings very late because of the pressure of European clubs. All the ingredients to give sober matches at such an hour in this competition, with constantly the same observation: the game is not very fluid and combative, with less goals scored under this scourging sun.

This raises questions about the scheduling of these matches at such an early hour, especially since only 5 matches have been scheduled to take place so early during the entire competition. And, by chance of the calendar, Mali and Senegal are the only two teams that have two of their three group matches at 2pm (13:00 GMT). This is a significant factor to take into account and has a direct impact on the matches in question. But also for the rest of the competition, while the Eagles and Lions of Teranga plan to go far in the competition.

Belmadi: "Other teams play zero times at 2pm
A situation that logically pushes the players of these games to dig deeper into their resources to meet expectations on the field. "It's unfortunate to play twice in a row at 2 pm, while some teams have not played at that time. It's not fair. We are not happy," Sadio Mané said after Senegal's draw with Guinea. A ready-made excuse to justify the poor content in the game of Aliou Cissé's men? "We don't know the programming of the matches. I don't care about that," the Algerian coach said in a press conference. "But matches at 2pm are obviously detrimental from an 'energy expenditure' point of view. It makes things difficult, that's a fact. Senegal has played twice at 2pm. Other teams play zero times at 2pm..."

The opportunity for the Algerian technician to suggest that all nations are not in the same boat in this respect during the 2021 AFCON. This can have a significant impact on the rest of the competition with formations more diminished at the time of approaching the knockout phase. "Luckily, we have not yet played at 2pm but when I look at the matches, in the intensity, it was Sadio Mané who complained about the schedule, we saw much more rhythm for the matches at 8pm, when the temperature decreases by 5 to 6 degrees, it's much better," acknowledged Ivorian Serge Aurier, visibly relieved to not have to play at 2pm.